Cologne part ways with coach Kwasniok in fight against relegation

Cologne parted ways with coach Lukas Kwasniok on Sunday as a result of their growing Bundesliga relegation fears.

Club bosses reached the decision the day after Cologne drew 3-3 in a wild derby with fellow strugglers Borussia Mönchengladbach and are fourth bottom in a winless run of seven games.

"We gave our current situation a great deal of thought on Sunday and have decided to make a change in the head coach position for the final phase of the season," sporting director Thomas Kessler said in a club statement.

"Lukas’s football knowledge and professional expertise are beyond question. Despite passionate and respectable performances, a clear downward trend in our progress has become apparent recently. We have picked up too few points – that is the reality.

"Against this backdrop, following an in-depth analysis, we have decided to release Lukas from his duties. We thank him for his work at FC and wish him all the best for the future."

The club said that assistant René Wagner is to take over. Cologne's next match is after the international break on April 5 at Eintracht Frankfurt as the twice champions aim to avoid an eighth drop in club history.

Kwasniok arrived from second division Paderborn in summer at the promoted club on a contract until 2028. Cologne started well into the season but their form and results have dropped lately.

Kwasniock was not backed post-match on Saturday by Kessler but he vowed that "I will fight for this job with all I have" because he believed that "I am the right man at the right place with the right team."

Local news reports said that a meeting was held on Sunday morning which Kwasniock left after around 20 minutes and then said that "not much will happen and I will now enjoy the sun."

Kwasniok was also backed by players, with Eric Martel saying "I see how we are training, that is really good" but also conceding that "what we are unfortunately missing are results."